Light device



Jan. 30, 1940. H. H. ROOT ET A1.

LIGHT DEVI CE Filed Aug. 28, 1937 uk i INVENTORS WWW a MW 22 #m E 5 um m Patented Jan. 30, 1940 LIGHT DEVICE Huber H. Root and Karl Ran, Medina, Ohio, as-

signors to The A. I. Root Company, Medina, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application August 28, 1937, Serial No. 161,362

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a type of devotional lights, exemplified by those known as sanctuary lights.

The principal object is to provide an improved combined heat conserver, ventilator and insect guard for such device, in which the actual light is supplied by means of a candle or its operative equivalent. i

, A further object is to provide an insect guard and ventilator for a sanctuary light, which may be applied effectively to the light in at least two different ways which, respectively, are well suited to temperature conditions usually obtaining in the summer and winter where such lights are burned,

A further object is to provide an improved guard and ventilator for the exposed glass casing .of a light of the type wherein the fuel and wick are contained in an inside diaphanous casing.

Other objects and features will become apparent from the following description relating to the accompanying drawing showing a preferred form. The essential characteristics are summarized in the claims.

Referring briefly to the drawing, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a sanctuary light incorporating the improvements hereon/certain of the parts being broken away in central section for illustrative purposes; Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1, with the insect guard applied to the light in a manner different from that of Fig. 1.

The sanctuary light in the form shown includes an outer diaphanous casing I and a light device 2, the latter comprising, in effect, a candle. The device 2, as illustrated, is aglass bottle 3 which contains a fuel body 5, having a central .wick 6, shownlighted. Such an arrangement is shown, described and claimed in the prior patent to H. H. Root, Reissued as No. 18,623, on October 18, 1932, and owned by the assignee hereof. The parts above referred to may be supported as on a pedestal type base I, or may be suspended on chains or the like, as desired. The upper end of the outercasing may be flared as at- 8, and

this, during the burning of the light, may be left entirely open, as shown in Fig. 2, or may be partially closed. I

Sanctuary lights are intended to burn for several days, usually a little more than a week. Thereupon the filler, such as the bottle 2, and candle therein, is removed, and a new one put in its place and lighted; so that the light, burns substantially continuously throughout the year.

Whether or not the inner casing 3 is used, the candle requires protection against insects and other foreign material which may fall into the top of the light and cause an erratic and smoky flame. Usually, when an insect drops on the flame or onto the fuel body, the light flares up and smokes badly for a considerable period; hence, guards of one sort or another are usually,

used.

It is highly important that the light be protected against drafts, in order that it may notbe extinguished thereby. Also, it is important that air be supplied to the flame in a uniform manner, and adequate provision made to lead out the exhaust gas arising from combustion.

Another important consideration is that of protecting the light against free circulation of air in the space occurring between the candle itself (or the inner casing 3) and the exposed casing l,

particularly if such inner glass casing 3 is used during low temperatures, for then the fuel tends to cling about the inner surface of such casing, and eventually to obscure the flame. Such free circulation is desirable under higher temperature conditions, in order that the greater portion of the fuel will remain firm and afford support for the free end of the wick.

- Accordingly, we have provided an arrangement whereby in colder weather the space between the inner and outer casing can be closed partially, while not interfering with free passage of fresh air and exhaust gases with relation to the flame. Also, using only part of the apparatus, we can fully protect the flame against insects and other knocked off. This lid device preferably is made of ceramic material and enamelled or glazed, principally for decorative effect, although the glazing or other bright finish on the inside assists in reflecting heat toward the li ht assembly ,2. The burned clay lid neither conducts, nor radiates much heat, and this is a decided ad vantage from the standpoint of heat conservation.

The combined ventilator and insect guard comprises preferably (in addition to the lid I 8, but

usable exclusive of it) a conically shaped'cap of very light sheet-metal I4, having a multiplicity of holes l5 therein, spaced approximately as close as practicable over the entire surface and very small, say about 5 5" in diameter, 6" apart, so that about half or over half of the metal is cut away. This affords adequate opening area for air to flow in and hot gas to flow out but at the same time operates effectively as a wind screen to keep the light from being blown out by sudden drafts.

The preferred shape of the cap may be obtained inexpensively by rolling a flat uniformly apertured blank into a cone and welding or soldering the overlapped ends down one side thereof (seam not shown). A suitable ornament may also be attached to the apex as by welding or soldering, shown as a cross.

As brought out by the two illustrations, the cap is interchangeable on the lid and bottle 3; the bottom end of the cap fitting inside the lid and outside the bottle neck (or rim in case a jar is used instead of a bottle).

An annular indentation l8 may be rolled into the lower margin of the cap. Fluting or crimping 19 at the bottom of the skirt may be similarly efiected as part of a single operation or by separate operations; or the indentation and fluting may be done by dies in a press.

The annular indentation l8 forms an outwardly overhanging shoulder 20 to serve as a stop in abutment with the top wall ll of the lid adjacent its central opening (see Fig. 1) and also forms an inner shoulder 2| to abut the top end of the glass casing 3 as shown in Fig. 2.

The crimping or fluting of the skirt is expansible and compressible by hand in order to compensate for expected variations in sizes of lid and glassware. When the cap is fitted to the lid, the lower edge of the skirt may be bent out slightly at various points, as by the fingers or almost any tool, to hold the cap firmly in place. There is usually enough spring in the skirt to hold the cap mounted either way, but the light gage sheet-metal can be bent and rebent many times for holding the cap more firmly whenever desired. The metal of the cap can be ferrous (preferably coated to resist corrosion), but almost any other metal can be used,

With the cap supported in either position shown, the exhaust gases arising from combustion are deflected toward the axis of the light by the converging wall of the cap, and leave almost exclusively by way of the openings near the top of the cone. Thus any ash or soot that becomes trapped (very little does) lodges in or near the peak and does not interfere with incoming fresh air. Such accumulation as usually occurs in the course of a Week may be blown out (by mouth). -Moreover, since the shape of the cap tends to maintain the rising column of hot gas disposed centrally in alignment with the flame there is practically no conflict between gas tending to get out and fresh air tending to get in, hence, the device is con ducive to steady burning of the flame. The light may be burned in a strong wind without danger of being extinguished, because the imperforate surfaces of the cap (and lid when used) tend to deflect air currents both laterally and upwardly.

The lid Il) may have a series of through openings (not shown) disposed about its wall or provision to let in more air may bemade by spaced projections of the casing i. We have not found either expedient necessary;

Comparing further thev two illustrations, it

will be noted that when the room is relatively cold, (as an unheated church or sanctuary portion thereof in winter), the use of the loW-heat' conductive lid (Fig. 1) precludes appreciable movement of air into and out of the space between the casing I and light device 2. This is very effective in preventing accumulations of fuel on the Walls of the inner casing, which tend to form when the casing 3 is chilled and eventually obscure or eclipse the flame. Under normal room temperatures the omission of the lid, as in Fig. 2, promotes circulation in said space, and tends to prevent under depth of melted fuel about the wick at the top of the fuel body (should not be more than an inch or so in depth); wherefore the wick will be unlikely to bend over and drown theflame even in an uncomfortably hot room or space.

We claim:

1. In a light of the type having inner. and

outer diaphanous casings the inner containing fuel and a wick, the combination of an annular lid arranged to overhang the space between the two casings and at least partially close said space an annular lid adapted to be detachab-ly supported by the top of such casing in inwardly overhanging relation thereto on all sides, and. an insert guard seated in the central opening of the lid and operatively closing the opening against access to the light by relatively larger objects.

3. An insect guard for a sanctuarylampw ch operates by candle light, comprising a conical piece of sheet-metal with a multiplicity of apertures therethrough, and having a continuousrib near its lower edge adapted to serve as a shoulder and a substantially cylindrically formed flange depending below the shoulder radially olfset from the shoulder and adapted telescopingly to engage a circular part of the light casing] 4. In a light of the class described, comprising a translucent casing which has an imperforate side wall and is open at the top andadapted to house and display a candle disposed, approximately in vertical alignment with the top' opening, and a ventilator and insect guard device operatively associated with the top opening-in, a manner to close it against the entrance of insects and'foreign matter into the casing, said guard device being characterized by comprising a steeply conical wall having a multiplicityjof small closely spaced apertures therein near the apex of the cone' and also materially below said apex, whereby rising hot gases 'will' be directed 

